CHAPTER 67: CHAPTER 67

Aria’s POV.

I stood in my room, my hands trembling as I dressed, pulling on a simple blue dress, its fabric soft against my skin, my silver hair tied back, my heart racing with worry.

The Shadow Claw packhouse was quiet, the morning light dim through the window, the air cool, the stone walls heavy around me. My wolf, Kyra, whined, her unease sharp, sensing my fear, my anger, my dread.

Yesterday, Brian had come to me, his brown eyes serious, his voice low, explaining the Lunar Festival, the pack’s sacred celebration of the moon, where I, as Luna Celeste, had to lead the preparations.

The elders’ demand, Kael’s reluctant nod, weighed on me, my chest tight, my mind spinning with the task’s enormity, banners, feasts, rituals, every detail judged by the pack.

Beta Brian had promised a maid to help, the best one, he said, but he hadn’t told me who, and the unknown gnawed at me, my patience thin, my worry loud.

I slipped on my boots, their leather creaking, my hands smoothing the dress, my heart pounding. Kael’s protectiveness, his anger at Seraphina for slapping me, his warm kiss on my forehead, gave me strength, but his absence now, his duty pulling him to the throne chamber, left me alone, my fear growing.

Seraphina’s punishment, twenty strokes, her tears, her threat to expose my true identity as Aria, not Celest, burned in my mind, her hate a shadow over me.

Elijah’s death, Sonia’s grief, Liam’s trust, added to my burden, my heart aching for them, my role as Luna heavier than ever.

I grabbed my shawl, my hands shaky, my eyes burning, Kyra urging me to stay strong, to face the day.

I left the room, my boots soft on the stone floor, the halls dim, torches flickering, maids bowing as I passed, their whispers quiet but sharp.

My heart raced, my worry for the festival mixing with my anger at Brian for not telling me the maid’s name.

I reached the courtyard, the air crisp, the sun low, the car waiting, its black frame gleaming, Brian standing nearby, his armor glinting, his face tense.

Sonia and Liam were inside, their faces pale, their eyes on me, their trust heavy. I nodded to them, my smile forced, my heart pounding, my impatience growing.

"Where’s the maid?" I asked Brian, my voice sharp, my eyes narrowing, my hands clenching the shawl.

"She’s coming, Luna," Brian said, his voice low, his eyes avoiding mine, his hands clasped. My heart sank, his vagueness fueling my anger, my patience gone.

I stepped out of the car, my boots crunching on the gravel, my dress catching the breeze, my anger hot, Kyra growling, her frustration matching mine.

"I’m going to find her," I said, my voice loud, my eyes burning into Brian’s, my heart racing.

I turned, my steps quick, ready to storm back inside, to demand answers, but a voice boomed behind me, sharp and malicious, stopping me cold.

"Running off already, Luna Celeste?" The words dripped with mockery, the name a blade, and my heart stopped, my breath catching, fear gripping me.

I turned, my eyes wide, my body tensing, and there she was, Celeste, her dark hair loose, her green dress tight, her smile cruel, her eyes glinting with hate.

My chest tightened, my anger flaring, my fear of her knowing my secret, my true name, Aria, burning. Kyra roared, her strength surging, urging me to fight, but my hands trembled, my heart racing.

"Leave now," I said, my voice hard, my eyes glaring, my hands fisting, calling her Aria to throw her off, to hide my fear.

"Go back inside." My words were sharp, my heart pounding, my worry for Liam and Sonia in the car growing, their eyes on us, their silence heavy.

Celeste laughed, her voice cold, her steps slow, closing the distance, her grin widening. "Oh, I’m not leaving," she said, her eyes fierce, her hands crossed.

"I’m the maid Brian picked to help you with the festival." My heart stopped, my breath gone, shock hitting hard, my eyes wide, my mind spinning. No. It couldn’t be.

Celeste, the maid? Her, with her hate, her schemes, helping me? My chest heaved, my anger boiling, my fear loud, Kyra growling, sensing a trap.

"You’re lying," I said, my voice shaky, my eyes narrowing, my hands trembling. "Brian wouldn’t pick you." My heart raced, my doubt clear, my fear of her plan, her knowing my secret, her working with Seraphina, overwhelming.

Celeste stepped closer, her smile sheepish, her eyes glinting, her voice low.

"I begged him," she said, her words slow, her grin wicked. "Told him I’d be perfect to help our dear Luna Celeste." Her mockery cut, her use of my false name a threat, her closeness suffocating.

My heart pounded, my breath short, my anger mixing with fear, my mind screaming she was lying, that she had a plan, a way to ruin me, to expose me.

I froze, my body still, my eyes locked on hers, her grin widening, her power over me clear.

I wanted to refuse, to scream, to tell Brian to pick someone else, but time was slipping, the festival looming, the elders watching, the pack judging.

My heart sank, my hands shaking, my choices gone. "Get out," I said, my voice weak, my eyes pleading, my heart racing, but Celeste ignored me, her boots clicking as she climbed into the car, her grin wide, her eyes daring me to stop her.

Sonia’s face paled, Liam’s eyes widened, their worry clear, and my chest ached, my guilt for dragging them into this mess sharp.

I stood frozen, my heart pounding, my anger hot, my fear louder, Kyra whining, urging me to act, but I was trapped.

Fighting her now would draw attention, risk my secret, shame me as Luna. I clenched my fists, my eyes burning, my breath heavy, and got into the car, my boots heavy, my dress catching, sliding in beside Sonia, Liam’s small hand on hers, Celeste’s grin burning into me from the front seat.

Beta Brian started the engine, his eyes avoiding mine, the car rumbling, pulling away from the packhouse, the stone walls fading, the forest thick around us.

My heart raced, my hands twisting in my lap, my eyes on Celeste’s back, her dark hair swaying, her silence loud, her grin a promise of trouble.

I knew she didn’t beg Brian for nothing, her schemes clear, her hate for me, her knowledge of my secret, a blade at my throat.

My chest tightened, my fear overwhelming, my anger at her, at Brian, at this trap, boiling.

Sonia’s hand brushed mine, her eyes soft, her worry shared, and Liam’s quiet voice whispered, "Luna, you okay?"

My heart broke, my love for them grounding me, but my fear of Celeste’s plan, her sinister smile, screamed she was plotting something dark.